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Roopa Raman has a demanding course load as a PhD student in information systems at Goizueta. “If I’m not in class or doing work for my classes, then I’m thinking about upcoming projects,” she says.

Still, she carves out a few hours each week to work with young patients through the School Program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Entering a classroom complete with textbooks, aquariums, and a bank of computers, Raman checks in and greets the regular teachers. She gently places her hand on the back of a boy diligently bent over his math book. “If you need any help, just ask,” she says.

Another boy, with four IV bags feeding into a tube in his arm, plays Scrabble on the computer with his free hand. “Hey, you’re really good at this,” Raman says, chatting with him about the fast-paced game. “What happens when you get one of those flaming tiles?”

Raman, a second-year student in information systems who entered The Goizueta Foundation Doctoral Program in the fall of 2003, is drawn to such social encounters. “I get so much more from the kids than they get from me,” she notes.

	With a string of science degrees under her belt, Roopa Raman seeks to make an impact by making time for others and using her doctoral degree to transform business.

Although she has an MBA from the University of South Carolina, a masters in pharmacology from UCLA, and a masters in biochemistry and bachelors in chemistry from the University of Calcutta in her native India, Raman decided to pursue a PhD in business because—although she enjoyed the sciences—she craved seeing the practical application of her craft on a day-to-day basis.

“Even a nonprofit has to have structure to allow it to exist,” contends Roopa. “I wanted to transition out of the lab to the real world by going through the business world.”

Goizueta’s PhD program, which originated in the fall of 2002, attracts a diverse group of professionals and continuing students wishing to specialize in accounting, finance, information systems, marketing, and organization and management. Twenty-seven students are currently enrolled in the program, ranging in age from nineteen to their mid-30s. Thirteen are international students. (To view student profiles, go to www.goizueta.emory.edu/degree/phd.)

About 258 applications were received for the next class. About fifteen new students (three for each specialty) are selected for the highly competitive program each year, says Donis Leach, director of PhD Admissions for Goizueta.

Jerry Kane ‘98Mdiv, an Atlanta native and United Methodist minister who has an MBA from Georgia State and a master’s of divinity from Emory, decided to pursue a doctorate at Goizueta because, unlike the limited job market in theology, the demand for business PhDs is high.

	Doctoral student Jerry Kane ‘98Mdiv finds purpose and harmony in ministry and academia.

“I’ve always been interested in how information technology is used—or not used—by organizations,” says Kane, who, like other third-year students in the program, already has selected a dissertation topic, chairs, and an adviser. Being part of the inaugural class of Goizueta PhDs has been rewarding, he notes, because “we have a chance to make our mark and do something new.”

Kane is working with a large healthcare corporation to implement automatic medical records, which will streamline patient care.
Although ministry was fulfilling, Kane enjoys academia for the same reasons. “They both involve working with people, teaching, and understanding the world better and differently.”

—Mary Loftus

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